A mass shooting at a Texas church in which at least 26 people have been killed and 20 wounded has been condemned by Leicester's faith leaders.

A man opened fire yesterday inside the First Baptist Church church, in the small South Texas community of Sutherland Springs.

Authorities said the man walked into the, a white, wood-framed building, during the morning service and began firing at the 50-strong congregation.

Leicester Council of Faiths, which comprises of representatives of faith groups and places of worship across the city, this morning condemned the attack.

Investigators work at the scene of a deadly shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, Sunday Nov. 5, 2017. A man opened fire inside of the church in the small South Texas community on Sunday, killing more than 20 people. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP) (Image: (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP))

Chairman Fayyaz Suleman said: “Places of worship are sanctuaries where people meditate and pray.

"An attack against these innocent worshippers is an attack on peace, love and harmony that we commonly stand for.

"We call on all in our society to work towards tackling hatred and evil that perpetuates these kinds of attacks.

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"Our heartfelt sympathies are with the loved ones of those affected by this tragedy and the victims will remain in our thoughts and prayers."

Investigators work at the scene of a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017. A man opened fire inside of the church in the small South Texas community on Sunday, killing more than 20 people.(Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP) (Image: (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP))

In a show of solidarity, Leicester Council of Faiths will hold a minute's silence at its Interfaith Food Festival being on November 14. The event starts at 6.30pm, and takes place at the Sacred Heart Church Hall, Mere Road, Leicester.

Mr Suleman said: "The food festival aims to bring people of faith and no faith to celebrate and share food, helping to build friendships and remove barriers between people, which is what is needed in the world today."

Donald Trump has said the mass shooting "isn't a guns situation," but is a "mental health problem at the highest level".

Donald Trump

Devin Kelley, the man authorities have identified as the gunman, was discharged from the Air Force several years ago for allegedly assaulting his spouse and a child.

While no officials have publicly questioned Kelley's mental health, Mr Trump said that "is your problem here" when asked about the shooting as he and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a joint news conference in Tokyo.

"This was a very, based on preliminary reports, a very deranged individual. A lot of problems over a long period of time," Mr Trump said.

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"We have a lot of mental health problems in our country, as do other countries. But this isn't a guns situation," the president said.

Mr Trump first tweeted that he was monitoring the situation from Japan.

He later described the shooting as an "act of evil" during remarks to a gathering of American and Japanese business executives.

Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said that Kelley served 12 months' confinement after a 2012 court-martial. He ultimately received a bad conduct discharge and reduction in rank.

She said Kelley served in Logistics Readiness at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico from 2010 until his discharge in 2014. He was responsible for moving passengers, cargo and personal property in military transportation.

As Kelley left the scene, authorities said he was confronted by an armed resident who engaged the suspect, who later was found dead in his vehicle.

Mr Trump said that "fortunately somebody else had a gun that was shooting in the opposite direction otherwise it (wouldn't) have been as bad as it was, it would have been much worse.

"But this is a mental health problem at the highest level. It's a very, very sad event."